Comments on: New Panama Immigration Law Enacted

By: Chiriquí Chatter » Blog Archive » New Immigration Law Conversation

Chiriquí Chatter » Blog Archive » New Immigration Law Conversation — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:37:58 +0000

[...] a short note. I had posted a link to a Panama Lawyer Blog for information on the new changes that were going into effect. [...]

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:35:06 +0000

I have heard that it is 90 days for a tourist visa now,

By: Gary Jones

Gary Jones — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:31:44 +0000

Yet one more wrinkle to the new laws. My tenant had let his original 30-day visa expire (dumb, yes) and went to David yesterday to see about getting an extension. He elected to take a Panamanian friend to help with the Spanish and not go to a lawyer.
When he got to immigration they informed him that his original tourist visa was good for ninety days and not thirty, as every website in the world shows. He was also told that it is now not necessary to leave the country after ninety days. You just go to immigration, pay $30 and get another ninety days. Sounds way too logical, so probably isn’t true.
The official at immigration would not stamp or initial his Canadian passport, but instead just wrote “ninety days” on his tourist card, which, of course, anyone could do. At my urging he went to see my lawyer, but my lawyer said he didn’t know what the new law was and he would have to check and let us know.
My tenant is on his way to Panama City today and I can only hope he doesn’t get stopped somewhere to discover the “ninety days” written on his tourist card is not valid.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:39:11 +0000

There plenty in Panama in need for work and work isn’t available. If you have unique skills you might qualify for a work permit. Most people that come to Panama and work either start a business and employ Panamanians or work over the Internet.

By: pam

pam — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:26:01 +0000

What are the laws regarding employment? I think I can qualify for employment due to need. Where do I look for the laws?

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:08:05 +0000

Hi Judy. To be sure you would have to talk to an atourney. However, the writeup says that it has increaded from $500 to $1,000. $500 was the old rate for one person. I believe it is being changed to $1,000 for one person and I don’t know about the second person.

By: Judy Sacco

Judy Sacco — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:45:47 +0000

Are you sure that is $1,000 per person? Under the old law it was $600 for one person plus the spouse. When we came to Panama, my husband had social security and I had no pension, yet we both got pensionado status. Also there are other ways to set up a pension besides social security, and there are other ways to get a permanent visa besides the pensionado. Talk to an attorney here.

By: Don Ray

Don Ray — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:57:23 +0000

Hi Debbie. That is $1,000 per individual. For the source, it used to say on the Panama Government website. When I got my pensionado card in 2002, it had to be from an official retirement plan or social security. I suggest checking the Panama government site.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:34:53 +0000

Don, concerning the immigration changes and the pensionado visa, I see that the requirement has been raised from $500 to $1,000. Do you know if this is per couple or single? Does it all have to be from a pension? This may throw a curve ball into our retirement plans, because I’m planning an early retirement with a small pension and additional income from other sources until we turn 62 and can collect our Social Security. If it all has to be from a pension, I’ll have to wait 5 more years. Do you know who would be a reliable person that I could email about this? I’m worried, now!
Thanks.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:18:29 +0000

When we were in Volcan last month, it was $8 for an 90# bag.